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Thyroid cancer represents approximately 90% of endocrine cancers. Difficulties in diagnosis and low inter-observer agreement are sometimes encountered, especially in the distinction between the follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (fvptc) and other follicular-patterned lesions, and can present significant challenges. In the present proof-of-concept study, we report a gene-expression assay using NanoString nCounter technology (NanoString Technologies, Seattle, WA, U.S.A.) that might aid in the differential diagnosis of thyroid neoplasms based on gene-expression signatures. Our cohort included 29 patients with classical papillary thyroid carcinoma (ptc), 13 patients with fvptc, 14 patients with follicular thyroid carcinoma (ftc), 14 patients with follicular adenoma (fa), and 14 patients without any abnormality. We developed a 3-step classifier that shows good correlation with the pathologic diagnosis of various thyroid neoplasms. Step 1 differentiates normal from abnormal thyroid tissue, step 2 differentiates benign from malignant lesions, and step 3 differentiates the common malignant entities ptc, ftc, and fvptc. Using our 3-step classifier approach based on selected genes, we developed an algorithm that attempts to differentiate thyroid lesions with varying levels of sensitivity and specificity. Three genes&mdash, namely SDC4, PLCD3, and NECTIN4/PVRL4&mdash, were the most informative in distinguishing normal from abnormal tissue with a sensitivity and a specificity of 100%. One gene, SDC4, was important for differentiating benign from malignant lesions with a sensitivity of 89% and a specificity of 92%. Various combinations of genes were required to classify specific thyroid neoplasms. This preliminary proof-of-concept study suggests a role for nCounter technology, a digital gene expression analysis technique, as an adjunct assay for the molecular diagnosis of thyroid neoplasms.

The aim of this work was to develop a molecular method using loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) for detection of extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae from meat, and to compare it with different isolation agars and microarrays. LAMP assays were developed for CTX-M groups 1, 2, and 9 and OXA-10-like genes. Chicken, lamb, beef, pork, and turkey samples were spiked with 10, 100, and 1,000 cfu/gram using 8 strains of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CTX-M sequence types 1, 2, 3, 14, 15, OXA-11, SHV-2, TEM-52) +/- a mix of competitor organisms. Samples were enriched overnight in buffered peptone water (BPW) +/- antibacterials before plating to CHROMagar CTX, OXOID ESBL Brilliance agar, and MacConkey agar with 1 mg/L cefotaxime. Selected BPW broths were also tested using LAMP assays, microarrays and using cefpodoxime discs on agar. For isolation/detection of ESBL producers from beef, pork, lamb, and turkey spiked with 10 or 100 cfu/gram ESBL (natural flora only), all agars and the LAMP assays showed 100% sensitivity and specificity for ESBL spike strains. For chicken samples, both LAMP and chromogenic agars showed improved sensitivity and specificity for isolation of ESBLs compared with MacConkey agar, particularly with competitor bacteria added. In comparison, the cefpodoxime disc method and microarray showed reduced sensitivity.

Studies that monitor the intensity of biocontrol insect damage on target and nontarget hosts in the field often consider the effects of neighboring vegetation that serve as acceptable alternative hosts. Whether nonhost neighboring plants can also influence damage to hosts has received less attention. The nonnative, seed-eating weevil Larinus planus has been distributed as a biocontrol agent for weedy thistles in the U.S., but also attacks native thistles including the federally threatened Cirsium pitcheri. To test the hypothesis that nonhost Ammophila breviligulata grass neighbors increase susceptibility of C. pitcheri to L. planus damage, we clipped the neighboring vegetation within a 1 m radius around focal C. pitcheri, and assessed weevil infestation in flower heads of plants with clipped or unclipped neighbors. We also examined elevational effects by surveying weevil presence along an environmental gradient and comparing infestation rates between primary and secondary dune habitats with intact neighboring vegetation. Larinus planus infestation was more prevalent at low than at high dune elevations. At low elevations, clipping neighboring vegetation surrounding C. pitcheri significantly decreased the proportion of flower heads infested by weevils. Grasses may aid L. planus dispersal to C. pitcheri hosts and/or provide a refuge from environmental stress or natural enemies. Our results highlight two factors that predict L. planus attack, as well as areas of the dune on which to focus Cirsium pitcheri management or weevil control efforts. More broadly, our results suggest that nonhost neighboring vegetation may be an important factor determining the intensity of damage by invasive and biocontrol insects. Keywords: Associational susceptibility, Elevation, Invasive species, Larinus planus

This work was aimed to analyze trends in susceptibility to antibiotics among the main species of beta-hemolytic streptococci involved in community-acquired infections in human (Streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus agalactiae), or in animals (Streptococcus suis and Streptococcus uberis) and also among the main enterocci species, Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium. Data were recorded since 1996 through the Onerba networks. S. pyogenes, as the other beta-hemolytic streptococci studied remained fully susceptible to beta-lactam antibiotics. However, susceptibility to macrolides is clearly decreasing in S. pyogenes. In 2002, only 62 to 65% of the strains according to the network considered, were susceptible to erythromycin. A similar trend was observed for S. agalactiae with only 75% of erythromycin susceptibility in 2002, and for both species isolated from animals S. suis and S. uberis, with respectively 35 and 76% of strains susceptible to erythromycin. In enterococci, susceptibility to beta-lactams remained stable between 2000 and 2004. Indeed, the susceptibility to aminopenicillins remained high in E. faecalis (about 98%), whereas the proportion of E. faecium isolates susceptible to these antibiotics were lower than 60%. From 1999 to 2004, various studies conducted in French hospitals showed that the vancomycin resistance among enterococci accounted for less than 2%. However, the recent emergence of glycopeptide resistant enterococci clusters in French hospitals is a matter of concern and emphasizes the need for an ongoing surveillance. Such trend in macrolide resistance among S. pyogenes or S. agalactiae should consequently lead to propose other alternatives in case of beta-lactam allergy, and for pharyngitis, to rethink the place of the culture for susceptibility testing.

Resume Objectif Le but de cette etude etait d’evaluer l’impact de stimuli nociceptifs sur la capacite proprioceptive cervicale. Methode Trente sujets jeunes et sains ont effectue un test de repositionnement cephalique (TRC) dans deux conditions aleatoires : avec une stimulation electrique nociceptive (condition « douleur ») et avec une stimulation electrique indolore (condition « controle »). Le TRC consistait a faire repositionner la tete sur le tronc, apres un mouvement actif de la tete dans le plan transversal, les yeux clos. Le pointage, enregistre par video, s’effectuait au depart et a l’arrivee de chaque rotation. Resultats L’erreur moyenne de repositionnement etait de 3,98 ± 0,99° (moyenne, ecart-type) en condition « douleur » contre 1,75 ± 0,37° en condition « controle » (p Conclusion La douleur aigue induit une perturbation des capacites proprioceptives cervicales sans qu’il y ait de deterioration des structures anatomiques. Ce constat suggere l’interet d’une prise en charge precoce de la douleur pour eviter les perturbations sensorielles, et en complement, l’utilite d’une reeducation cervicale proprioceptive apres tout episode algique.

Dogs have made and will continue to make valuable contributions as animal models in biomedical research. A comprehensive approach from time of breeding through completion of in-life usage is necessary to ensure that high-quality dog models are used in studies. This approach ensures good care and minimizes the impact of interanimal variability on experimental results. Guidance related to choosing and developing high-quality laboratory dogs and managing canine research colonies is provided in this article. Ensuring that dogs are healthy, well adapted, and cooperative involves good communication between vendors, veterinarians, care staff, and researchers to develop appropriate dog husbandry programs. These programs are designed to minimize animal stress and distress from the postweaning period through the transfer and acclimation period within the research facility. Canine socialization and training programs provided by skilled personnel, together with comprehensive veterinary health programs, can further enhance animal welfare and minimize interanimal and group variability in studies.

Because of their rich blood supply and of their original detersive and filling properties, the muscular pedicled flaps harvested from the trunk or the omental flap elevated from the abdomen may be very usefull to treat large defects or major septic problems in pleural, pericardic or mediastinal cavities. We here describe the main principles to be followed in such intrathoracic reconstructions performed in order to control severe mediastinites, aortic prosthetic infections, pleural empyemas and broncho-pleural, tracheo-esophageal or broncho-esophageal fistulas. In all these circumstances, the muscular or omental flaps which are transferred into the chest are selected according to the recipient field and to their respective access to the upper, middle and lower portions of the pleural space or mediastinum. Twelve different flaps so appear available to achieve the adequate reconstruction, filling or coverage of nine distinct topographic sites. Their rational use, based on various anatomical guidelines, allows to prevent or to cure efficiently 90% of the infectious or fistular complications frequently observed in the postoperative course of aggressive, functional or oncological, intrathoracic surgical procedures.

355 Critical Evaluation of the Use of Dogs in Biomedical Research and Testing Joanne Zurlo 1, Kathryn A. Bayne 2, Dorothy Cimino Brown 3, Tanya H. Burkholder 4, Vicki L. Dellarco 5, Amy Ellis 6, Laura Garrett 7, Robert Hubrecht 8, Erik R. Janus 9, Lewis B. Kinter 10, Elizabeth Luddy 11, LaVonne D. Meunier 12, Diana G. Scorpio 13, James A. Serpell 14, and Rory J. Todhunter 15 Center for Alternatives to Animal testing, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, USA; AAAlAC International, Frederick, MD, USA; University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Division of Veterinary Resources, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA; Office of Pesticides, US environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC, USA; Center for Drug evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, MD, USA; University of Illinois, College of Veterinary Medicine, UrbanaChampaign, Il, USA; Universities Federation for Animal Welfare, Wheathampstead, Hertfordshire, UK; Steptoe & Johnson, llP, Washington, DC, USA; AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals lP, Wilmington, De, USA; Center for Veterinary Medicine, US Food and Drug Administration, Rockville, MD, USA; GlaxoSmithKline, King of Prussia, PA, USA; Department of Molecular and Comparative Pathobiology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA (current address: California National Primate Research Center, University of California, Davis); University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA; Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, Ithaca, NY, USA

La Reunion Island (Indian Ocean) is one of the tropical oceanic islands that exhibits a lowland forest still not destroyed by human activities and by introduced species. In order to protect and conserve native intact habitats, information concerning their functioning is needed. We measure the biomass and litterfall of the Marelongue Reserve lowland rainforest on a permanent plot and examine what is the part played by the different species as well as the role of seasonality and cyclones. The total biomass estimated at 535 t/ha is relatively consistent with biomasses measured in other tropical forests. Over 92% of the biomass is due to 10 species only. The annual fine litterfall, measured at 7.6 t/ha during the two studied years, is similar to annual litterfall measured in similar ecosystems and is strongly affected by cyclones. The litterfall seasonality seemed to be linked to temperature fluctuations, rather than to either of the other two studied climatic factors (rainfall and wind speed). The results of this study will define valuable basic information for conservation and management of fragmented rainforest remnants.

The aim of the present study was to analyze the increased airway reactivity to antigen induced by beta-adrenoceptor blockade, adrenalectomy or medullectomy and to assess the contribution of circulating catecholamines to the increased reactivity. In anesthetized guinea pigs sensitized to ovalbumin (OA), administration of OA produced a dose-related bronchoconstriction characterized by threshold increases in airway insufflation pressure at 0.1 mg/kg i.v. and a near-maximal increase by 0.3 mg/kg i.v. Pretreatment with R(+) propranolol (0.5 mg/kg i.v.) 5 min prior to antigen did not significantly alter airway responses to antigen when compared to vehicle-treated animals. However, pretreatment with 0.5 mg/kg i.v. S(-) propranolol, racemic propranolol or nadolol markedly enhanced (10- to 15-fold) the airway response to the low-dose antigen. In addition, in guinea pigs which had been adrenalectomized, the reactivity to low-dose antigen was enhanced to a similar extent as that of beta-antagonist-treated animals when compared to sham-operated animals. Baseline plasma concentrations of epinephrine were significantly higher in sham-operate guinea pigs (1,494 +/- 223 ng/ml) when compared to adrenalectomized animals (412 +/- 44 ng/ml). Upon antigen exposure, epinephrine levels rose 5-fold (6,859 +/- 1,308 ng/ml) from baseline in sham-operated guinea pigs and were not significantly changed in adrenalectomized animals (848 +/- 208 ng/ml). Specific airway conductance measurements in conscious guinea pigs revealed that animals which had been medullectomized 2 weeks previously responded to lower provocative concentrations of aerosol OA (0.05-0.5%) than corresponding sham-operated animals. Airway reactivity to inhaled acetylcholine (0.1-1%) was similar in medullectomized and sham guinea pigs. Plasma concentrations of epinephrine were significantly lower in medullectomized guinea pigs (327 +/- 88 ng/ml) when compared to sham-operated animals (832 +/- 162 ng/ml). The results of the present study indicate that beta-adrenoceptor antagonism or changes in circulating epinephrine levels markedly alter the response to antigen in sensitized guinea pigs.

This review deals first with the methodology of anorectal manometry. The methods of recording anorectal pressures with perfused catheters, sleeve catheters, water- or air-filled balloon catheters and microtransducers are presented and discussed as well as the various polygraphs used in this investigation. In the second part, the routine anorectal manometry and the parameters to be studied in this investigation are described. Then, the additional manoeuvres which have been described in anorectal manometry are discussed. Finally, the major results obtained in recto-anal dysfunctions are described, that is manometric findings in constipation in adults and children, in incontinence and in the descending perineum syndrome. The usefulness of anorectal manometry in surgical and various conditions is also discussed.

Telepsychiatry (consultation carried out through 2-way interactive television) has been the object of a number of trials in the past twenty years, but to our knowledge there is no previous control study which compares CCTV and face-to-face interviews. Various aspects of the interviews carried out on CCTV were rated on a 5-point scale in questionnaires filled out by: (a) patients; (b) consultees and; (c) consultants. No significant difference was elicited with control interviews in respect to patients’ diagnosis, age and sex. CCTV interview ratings by consultee and consultant were rated only slightly below those of the control group. Such findings should encourage a broader application of interactive CCTV, particularly as a complement to live consultations in distant areas.

In the mitochondrial complex III, cytochrome b is the only product of the mitochondrial genetic system. In a yeast strain carrying a mutation (W7) in the gene coding for cytochrome b, the level of core protein I and subunit VI (17KDa) of complex III was found to be greatly diminished. A low level of Rieske’s iron-sulfur cluster has previously been observed in connection with this mutation (1). Wild type isolated complex III (2) was employed as a control for electrophoresis and for immuno-transfer assays (3). The missence mutant (W7) was also characterized by a low level of cytochrome b and a loss of activity in the b-c1 segment of the respiratory chain (Table I).